LaMar’s Donuts – Get “any donut with a whole” for free and they’re encouraging patrons to donate to the Salvation Army

New York City bakeries – If you are in NYC, a few beloved local shops are participating. Stop into one of Dough’s three locations for a chance to win a year’s worth of free doughnuts (buy a box of six or more to enter). Over at Doughnut Plant, customers will get a free Carnival Sprinkles mini-cake doughnut with their regular purchase.

Los Angeles bakeries – Spudnuts Donuts, whose baked goods are made with potato flour, is offering a free treat with any purchase. A The Donut Man, customers will get 10 percent off everything (except strawberry.) Donut Snob is offering mini donuts for just $1.75 plus 50 percent off delivery costs.

In case you’re wondering where this National Holiday came from, it dates back to war times in 1938. During World War I, women volunteering for the Salvation Army made doughnuts for soldiers serving overseas as a way to boost morale. National Doughnut Day was launched in 1938 by the Chicago branch of the Salvation Army, in part as a way to raise funds for, and awareness of, the organization’s work in the community. But the spirit behind the day was the recognition of these women’s contribution to the war effort.